July 17, 2014

Just the fact that Hutson has the respect of An interview with: his teammates, the confidence of his teammates and coaches, to take on that leadership role. Not to say we don't miss Aaron because COACH MARK RICHT we do, but it was time for him to go. That's just college athletics. After four seasons, you're out of KEVIN TRAINOR: We're joined by Mark here. We wish him well. We wish his brother well Richt from Georgia. on The Bachelorette, by the way. COACH RICHT: It's good to be here this But I think Hutson being there, us knowing morning. You guys are probably getting used to Hutson is the guy, the team knowing Hutson's the being worn out. Used to be a three-day event. guy, Hutson knowing how everything works, you Anyway, it's an honor to be here for the 14th year know. Hutson has been in our system obviously in a row at the University of Georgia. It's been a going into his fifth-year. But there's been no tremendous blessing for me to be the head coach. change in our system. He has the blessing of Extremely excited about this football team. being with Coach Bobo the entire time, being in the I think we have a tremendous culture right now for same system the entire time, seeing Murray doing work ethic. I think we have a tremendous culture it and having a chance to start a few games last of guys wanting to lead in the right way. year as well of the. I think our coaching staff did a super job in I think we'll transition well. the off-season. Meeting prior to the pre-spring conditioning in the springtime just kind of setting Q. You had a couple of unexpected the tone, the tempo for the expectations. I think departures in your secondary. How important the players are responding extremely well. is it to have leaders like Ramik and Damian I think the camaraderie of our staff is Swann coaching the new guys? tremendous. I think that's important. It kind of COACH RICHT: The leadership of those bleeds down to the rest of the team. guys, Ramik, Amarlo Herrera, Damian Swann, I've got a bunch of great coaches that are Corey Moore, the young guys are going to play for highly competent, highly competitive, just good us. That was kind of the deal a year ago. Now men of character that care about young men and we're kind of in the same boat. care about their families and all that kind of thing. The one thing I think is crucially important It just makes Georgia a great place to be. is the fact that Jeremy Pruitt, our defensive Looking forward to getting started August coordinator, coaches the defensive backfield. I 1st and the preparation for the season. think when a coordinator is in charge of the With that I'll open it up. backfield and understands what it means to play that position, play those positions, I don't think he's Q. What has it been like without having going to call anything that those guys can't Aaron Murray around on both a playing and execute. The worse thing that can happen is give personal level for you? up a big play because somebody blew it, poor COACH RICHT: Aaron, obviously a great communication, whatever it is. player, a great leader, just a great person. When Jeremy is going to make sure that you lose a guy like that, it can be tough. whatever gets called in that game that secondary The blessing for us is Hutson Mason being is going to be able to execute. in the program going into his fifth season, a guy The other thing, a year ago when he was that got to watch Aaron's work ethic, to see how he at Florida State, I think two of his starters were true ran the off-season program, how he would freshmen in the backfield, so he's done it before. organize pass skeleton and those types of things.

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visit our archives at asapsports.com He's not afraid to do that. are responding well to that. There's a lot of We feel like we're going to be just fine. accountability that goes along with it, as well.

Q. You opened last year against Q. Hutson mason is in that D.J. Clemson and lost that close one. What are you Shockley situation. Were you ever concerned expecting out of the game this year? you would lose him? COACH RICHT: Well, I'm glad to be COACH RICHT: Hutson and I had had, I home. Glad the game is going to be Between the don't know if I would say 'many' conversations, but Hedges. Our fans are going to be off the chain, at least three or four different conversations about ready for it. I think our players will, coaches will. what he should do. Tremendous opponent in Clemson. Obviously The thing I appreciate about him is when they got us last year. Hopefully we can turn it he came to me, he was like, Hey, coach, if I was around and get 'em. your son, what would you tell me? And I didn't say, Hey, I think you should Q. There's been a lot of talk that this stay no matter what. But I talked about, If you SEC Media Days doesn't have a lot of star stay, this could happen. If you go, there's no power. Todd is obviously a guy that is a star. guarantee of anything good happening for you. Do you think with all those guys that are gone As we just went through the process of to the NFL, it makes this league as wide open what it might look like, as we get to this point now, as it's ever been? at one time when he was deciding should he stay, COACH RICHT: Well, I think the league's should he go, Murray could have left after his junior wide open every year obviously. Auburn two year, given him two years a start. That was a seasons ago doesn't win a conference game. possibility. Auburn plays for the national championship. Also, if you remember, we did redshirt him Auburn wins the league. Even the year before, not this past year, but the year before to guarantee two years ago, Missouri, 2-6 in league play, they at least one-year separation from Aaron. Even that win the East. There were a lot of stars in the season was a little bit, you know, crazy because at league last year. any given time, if Murray would have got hurt, that I think it's wide open every year because was the year we played 'Bama in the SEC there's so many good teams. championship game. If Murray got hurt, Hutson would have played. He would have burnt that Q. Defensive problems you had last redshirt to play in this game. year, I wanted you to expand on the addition of He's really sacrificed a lot for this team. Coach Pruitt to the staff and the differences he He's staying because he loves Georgia and he might bring? especially loves his teammates. But he also knew COACH RICHT: I'm not going to talk a lot that this season was going to come and he was about last year. But I know this year, Coach Pruitt, going to be surrounded by a lot of skill guys, a lot he's a proven coach. He's won everywhere he's of great backs, receivers, some veteran linemen, a been. Not only Coach Pruitt, but the rest of our defense that should be matured from a year ago. defensive staff. We have brand-new coaches all I think the stage is set for him to have a the way across the board. Tracy Rocker, Mike tremendous senior year and hopefully have the Ekeler, and Kevin Sherrer coaching our outside same success or even better than D.J. had. linebackers and our star position, along with Jeremy. Q. A year ago we spent so much time They're all brand-new. They all coached talking about the quarterbacks in this league. high school ball, which I think is great. They know Certainly some bigger names at runningbacks. how to take a kid from ground zero. They know What do you make of the depth at that position how to teach fundamentals extremely well. in the conference? They've all been on college teams that have won COACH RICHT: Some guys are going to national championships. There's a lot of credibility have a chance to make a name for themselves. as they come in. How many seasons start out where you just don't But I think these guys know what it looks know what a guy's going to do? Even Jameis like to win big, and they've put in a system of how we're going to go about our business. The guys

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visit our archives at asapsports.com Winston, Johnny Football, their first year of When I was at Florida State, I had many starting, all of a sudden they win the Heisman. So opportunities to go. Even at Georgia, I've had anything can happen with a guy who gets his opportunities to leave. But I chose to stay. I chose opportunity. to stay at Georgia before I even came to Athens. I wouldn't count out the quarterbacks in When I accepted the job, my goal was that this this league to play great. would be the last stop for me because there's no It's an unknown quantity of guys. You greater place than Athens, Georgia. There's no don't know exactly what's going to happen with greater program than the University of Georgia in these guys. I wouldn't say that the quarterback my mind, for me. play is going to be down. We'll just have to wait I love watching a guy come in as a and see. freshman, go all the way through graduation, watch him grow up. Then it's even more fun five, Q. I've seen a story or two in the 10 years later for the guy to come back with his off-season where you mentioned the possibility family and talk about all the life lessons he learned of Todd Gurley being a three-year player. It's while he was at Georgia, and being so thankful for obvious he's a great rusher. Talk about some the experience. of the little things that any runningback needs I've had guys that were just total to move on. hard-heads during the time I had them, but come COACH RICHT: Well, in our offensive back and say, Now I see, coach. Now I get it. system at Georgia, I don't think there's one thing Thank you for what you did for me, what Georgia that any of our backs, when they go to the NFL, I did for me. don't think there will be one thing they haven't been I wouldn't trade that for anything. exposed to in our system. They obviously must learn how to pass protect, not only just slide and Q. You've said before you don't block the in-man on the line. It's complicated how support a league-wide mandated drug policy. we protect. Georgia's is one of the more publicized as We might change who the Mike linebacker being tougher. Is it something you feel creates is on the line of scrimmage, now he's got to a competitive disadvantage? Something you redirect who he's going to protect for the talk about with other coaches? quarterback. Route running, ball protection. COACH RICHT: No, we're not worried Obviously being able to run inside with the zones, about that part of it. We don't want our guys to do the powers, the leads, the things we do, all the gun drugs, okay? I don't want my son to do drugs. runs that we do. There's really not a thing that he'll We've got policies that are stronger maybe have to do in the league that he hasn't been than some when it comes to the punitive part of it. exposed to at Georgia. That's kind of what everybody talks about. But, you know, whether Todd stays Georgia ends up suspending their guys a little bit another year or not, I don't know. But if he stays sooner in the policy, which I've got no problems healthy, I think he's one of the better players in with. America, no doubt about it. Hopefully he stays There's other things we have in the policy, healthy. I see that he's getting into great condition. too, as far as the ability to educate them about If we continue to get him in great condition for this what's happening, giving them counseling, making season, I think the sky's the limit for him. sure that they're healthy, make sure there's no addiction issue we need to deal with. Q. You being at Georgia for coming on It's a lot more than just the punitive part. 14 years now, bowl games every year, talk There's a punitive part, there's an educational part, about what it means to have that longevity at then we love 'em. You made a mistake. You have one program, that much success. these consequences. Now let's turn in the right COACH RICHT: Well, I was at Florida direction and become a better man for it. State 15 seasons. I'm going onto my 14th season I'd rather them have that type of at Georgia. I was mentioning this earlier. I think experience in college rather than being married for that happens for two reasons. Obviously you have four years and got a kid or two and they get fired to win enough games to stick around. But the from their job because of something that never got other thing is you have to choose to stay.

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visit our archives at asapsports.com nipped in the bud while they were in their college he was perfectly ready or not, he was going to be days. the first pick of that draft. We've got a very good group of young What am I going to tell that guy other than, men. The fact that we have our policies as strong God bless you and I'm proud of you. as they are, it doesn't bother me. Q. Last year you saw play with injury Q. You've been hit hard by early after injury with your top guys. How hard of a defections to the NFL. Seems like more coaching job is it to keep the guys that are players are coming out even if they're picked in injured and the guys that are not injured on the the third round. How has that affected the way team, their confidence up, and how excited are you handle it? Has it affected what you tell you to have most of those guys back this year? recruits or how you recruit? COACH RICHT: It's great to have 'em all COACH RICHT: It hasn't really affected back. When you're in the heat of the battle, a guy the way I recruit. It really hasn't affected the way goes down, the next guy goes in, it's just what you that I approach this NFL decision. My goal is for prepare for. It's what those second-team, those guys to really just be educated, get good third-team guys prepare for. It's what you prepare information. Don't just go by what an agent might for as coaches. say. Don't go just by what I might say. Try to use It's kind of a given. If something happens, the NFL system. Hey, let's go. Let's not fret. Let's not cry about it. There's ways of finding out from NFL Let's go. people where do you really stand and where can But the thing that hurts the most is just to you possibly improve your draft status from one see the expression on the player's face who got year to the next, and still understand the value of hurt. The pain of the injury is not even close to the your degree, understand the value of your degree. pain of not being able to play anymore. They love I think some guys still don't quite get that playing. They prepared for this moment. Now they as they're going through the process. can't play and know there's a long road ahead of For example, one thing that we do, when them in rehab. our guys are done playing football, we have a It's a crushing blow for those guys. It program called the PO Network, and it's designed certainly doesn't help your team when a lot of your to help our guys transition from football to life, to better players get hurt. learn how to navigate, how to get into the business But, yeah, we're very excited that they're world. back. I think we did a great job in our off-season. Hey, son, if you get your degree and you We tweaked it a little bit. We were doing a lot have this great career for Georgia, whether it's more flexibility. We want to be a leaner team. great on the field or just were the best scout We're going to be doing a lot more change of teamer in America, we're going to be there at the direction in the summer, a lot more hard bursts, end, help you with your career after your football quick recovery, go do it again type of stuff. days are over. I think the way we trained in the off-season We talk about the value of staying. I is going to help us, as well. mean, there's some guys, when I had Knowshon Moreno, I couldn't sit here and say, If you stay here Q. Your thoughts on the eight-man another year, you're going to get drafted hire. officiating crew, the fact that not every game is Matthew Stafford, A.J. Green, maybe if going to have an eight-man officiating crew, the you stay, it's to win a championship, a national impact on tempo and frequency of penalties. award, something like that, or you just love the COACH RICHT: I'm interested to see how college experience. it goes. When it comes to tempo, I believe before From a business decision or where your the ball is snapped, everybody needs to be in draft status is, son, I don't think there's anything position to play. Offensive player, defensive you can do to improve it. player, every official needs to be where they need Matthew Stafford probably would have to be. improved as a quarterback if he stayed another There were times when the ball was year fundamentally, all those kind of things. But snapped, an official was scrambling to get where his draft status wasn't going to change. Whether

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visit our archives at asapsports.com they needed to get. Times where defenders were You know what, I really don't know for sure scrambling to get to where they needed to get. It's how they're going to go about their business with one thing if a team is doing a poor job of the Playoff. I'm just going to try to win as many substituting when the ball gets snapped. games where they don't have a choice but to put I think sometimes defenders are coming in us there. when a sub of the offense, just because they're on the field or close to where they're supposed to be, Q. Curious if you had any thoughts at the ball was allowed to be snapped. I think all about being picked second in the East everybody needs to be in position to play football against South Carolina and the importance of when the ball is snapped. that game in September. But in doing so, I don't think it's going to COACH RICHT: Obviously, what's slow down the tempo much at all. But that would important is what happens at the end of the year. be my suggestion to officiating, tempo and all that. Earlier I got asked that question. I said, I'm not If there's more penalties, there's more happy to be named number two. I'm not going to penalties. More eyes, more penalties, that could start cheering that we're number two. I think in the possibly happen. I wouldn't doubt that. end it's going to be Georgia.

Q. How is the new summer workout Q. What was your reaction when you rule? What are your thoughts about the learned Tray Matthews was transferring to Selection Committee method to pick the four Auburn? What is it like to know you're going to teams for the playoff? play him in another year? COACH RICHT: I was a strong advocate COACH RICHT: When guys leave our of mandatory eight hours in the summer. I think it's program, my goal for them is that they continue very important that everybody is being held their career and they continue and realize all their accountable in the strength and conditioning area dreams. Life's too short. They're young men that in the summer for a lot of reasons. One, it's great make mistakes. If somewhere along the way you for team continuity and team unity and all that kind learn from your mistake, you turn it around, finish of thing. your career strong, I'm happy for the guy. I also think it's important for everybody to Obviously whether we're playing Auburn or be in the best possible shape they can be in. It's a Tennessee or Florida or anybody else, we want to player safety issue to make sure everybody is win that game. I'm not too concerned about who's ready for the season to begin. over there, did he play for us, all that kind of thing. The other thing that's very important to us It doesn't come into my mind. at Georgia is in season, if a guy is late to a class or I have never hindered a transfer from a mentoring session or misses a class or whatever going anywhere that he wants to go. Because, it may be, part of our consequence or our discipline again, I think life's too short. If this kid can get a for that is to get him up early in the morning and do fresh start and do well, I'm happy for the guy. some physical work. Go up and down the stadium steps, whatever it may be, push a sled. Reminder Q. In light of what you just said about that it's important to go to class, important to be on you want to be number one, the media has only time, to be prepared. This is your consequence for picked the right team to win the overall title not doing that. four times in 22 years. Back when there was no accountability at COACH RICHT: Now that I think of it, all in the summer, we couldn't do that. We weren't that's good. I don't really care where we're picked. allowed to do anything of a physical nature. So I I think the one year, 2005, we were picked fourth thought it hurt our accountability academically as or fifth in the East, the year we mentioned D.J. well. So I'm a big-time advocate of it. Shockley taking over for David Greene. Almost Also our coaches are allowed to spend two comes back to your quarterback thing, D.J. left, so hours a week with our players. We really didn't Georgia's quarterback situation is probably going take advantage of that much prior to July 4th. But to drop off. Murray is leaving, it's probably going to after July 4th, our coaches now have been drop off. That's what people think. spending some time meeting with them and doing When D.J. came in, he played great. Our the drills that they're allowed to do, agility drills, those types of things.

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visit our archives at asapsports.com quarterback situation was SEC-championship caliber. I'm hoping the same with Hutson.

Q. As long as you've been in the league, you played everywhere. I think this is your first trip to Little Rock. COACH RICHT: I'm excited about it. I really don't know what to expect. I don't know enough about it. I know it's a special place for Arkansas to play a game. I'm glad to experience one more thing. The only team I guess now that I've not played as a coach at Georgia would be Texas A&M, and it's going to be a little while before that happens.

Q. You mentioned your concern about the welfare of your players. Can you speak to player stipends, healthcare, trust even after their eligibility is done. COACH RICHT: Yeah, I'm all for those kind of things. Anything we can do to bless these guys for what they've done for us, I'm all in. I'm all in. I do believe, though, that how we treat our players at Georgia is the best we could possibly treat 'em. I do believe that the experience of getting their education at Georgia is a huge payment. How we travel, where we stay, how we feed them, the training that they get in the strength and conditioning, the nutritionists, the sports psychologists, the coaching in itself. I mean, just the experience, 'cause I went through it. You went through it. You know the value of how you grow as a man from 18 to 22. You can't hardly put a price on that. But anything that we can do that will help them down the road, I mean, that's why we have this PO Network. That's why we have this way to bless them after their days are over, because they're focused so much on football, they don't think about life after football. We got to think about life after football for them. There's no question, I'm all in for that. KEVIN TRAINOR: Thank you, coach, for your time. COACH RICHT: Thank you.

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